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Kaspersky Review

Elana Kustcher​

In a Nutshell

Kaspersky Lab Anti-Virus has been shown to be 100% effective in detecting and removing all types of computer viruses on PCs with Windows. However, the basic product does not offer as many features as competitors’ similar products, such as Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2021.

pros

  • Catches 100% of malware threats
  • Allows computer to operate at full speed
  • 30-day free trial

cons

  • Basic product can only be used on PCs with Windows
  • Average price
  • Very basic features

Kaspersky at a Glance

9.6
Editorial Score

Ease of Use

Kaspersky Lab Anti-Virus can be installed easily, though it can take about 20 minutes, dashboard is easy to manage
10.0

Pricing & Plans

30-day free trial, basic 1-year cost is on-par with many of its competitors
10.0

Routine Scans

Up to 8 updates issued every 24 hours, or more, if necessary, runs scans upon installation
10.0

Additional Features

Mac and Android protection, identity protection, extra security for online banking and shopping, and parental controls
10.0

Customer Service

Multiple support methods for customers worldwide via phone, email and live chat, robust knowledge base
8.0

 

Highlights

  • Features: Virus protection, optimized security, easy-to-manage dashboard
  • Ease of Use: Easy
  • Reliability: Excellent
  • Value: Good
  • Free trial: 30 days

Best For

  • Individual users
  • PC users
  • Consumers who need basic computer protection

Why Choose Kaspersky?

Kaspersky is one of the most well-known brands in the computer security industry and its products consistently perform well on tests conducted by reputed independent testing companies, such as AV-Test and AV Comparatives. In 2016, Kaspersky Internet Security—which uses the same malware protection as the antivirus—caught 100% of prevalent viruses and 100% of zero day viruses. The industry averages are 99% and 98% respectively.

When compared to similar industry products, Kaspersky products have a much lower rate of slowing down computer performance. Test results showed that users who installed Kaspersky Anti-Virus experienced an 8% slower installation of frequently-used applications, while the industry average is a 25% slowdown.

What Kaspersky Offers

  • Antivirus software
  • Free online support
  • Optimized security that won’t slow down your computer
  • Various multi-device and higher-level packages

Kaspersky Anti-Virus offers award-winning protection for PC users (from Windows XP through Windows 10), optimized security that doesn’t slow down your computer, and easy-to-manage controls to help you set up your security checks. While the antivirus itself offers superb protection, the product lacks the frills and additional features offered by competitors, such as online banking protection, a WiFi advisor, a file shredder, and game, movie, and work modes.  

Kaspersky Internet Security offers all of the features of the antivirus, with the addition of Mac and Android protection, identity protection, extra security for online banking and shopping, and parental controls (for PCs and Mac).

Kaspersky Total Security offers all of the above, plus extended protection for kids on PC, Mac, and mobile, secure password storage, and encryption and backup of photos and music on PCs.

Separate products can be purchased to use with Mac or Android only, but for many consumers who have multiple devices, Internet Security or Total Security are better options.

Ease of Use

Kaspersky Lab Anti-Virus can be installed easily, though it can take about 20 minutes. Upon installation, it will scan your computer for incompatible software. If it finds software that is incompatible, such as another antivirus product, your installation might get stuck. In this case, you can manually stop it, and either fully delete the incompatible file or program the Kaspersky scan it to ignore it.

During installation, users will be asked if they wish to participate in the Kaspersky Security Network. If you choose “yes,” this means that you will be connected to the KSN, and if malware is found on your system, a copy will be automatically uploaded to Kaspersky's research lab for analysis, and a signature will then distributed to the company's millions of users. Even if you check “yes” upon initial installation, you can opt out at any time.

Once installed, Kaspersky will have little affect your computer’s operations. While a full scan can take about an hour, this is less than other competitors and you can still use your computer without experiencing significant slowdowns. In fact, this is a standout feature of Kaspersky Lab Anti-Virus; competitors such as Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2021 can take hours to complete a full scan.

The Kaspersky dashboard is easy to manage, and users can tell instantaneously whether their system is protected, whether an issue needs addressing, or when there is an actual threat.

Pricing

Kaspersky has packages for 3, 5, and 10 PCs for up to 3 years. They have various pricing options depending on how many devices you want protected and for how many years. The extended product, Kaspersky Total Security, retails for $74.99 a year.

Kaspersky Plans
1 year
2 years
3 Years
Standard - 3 PCs
$69.99  $38.49
$139.98  $75.99
Not available
Plus - 5 PCs
$99.99  $52.99
$199.98 $104.99
Not available
Premium - 10 PCs
$149.99 $74.99
$299.98 $154.99
$449.97 $224.99

Updated: December, 2023

The basic 1-year cost is on-par with many of its competitors, but the products of some other companies include more features than Kaspersky. On the other hand, the products of most other companies don’t score 100% effectiveness in protecting against all types of malware.

Therefore, consumers should consider what’s more important to them - an antivirus product that includes more advanced features, or a product that offers 100% protection (as opposed to 98-99% of other companies). If advanced features are more important, the full cost of Kaspersky Anti-Virus is quite high for what you are getting. If 100% effectiveness is more important, you’re getting great value for your money.

Help & Support

Like most of its competitors, Kaspersky Lab offers comprehensive support pages on its site. These pages consist of video tutorials, a Knowledge Base, and a Forum. Direct customer support can be reached through My Kaspersky, which is your personal page on the company’s website. Once you sign into your account, you can create a ticket requesting customer support.

User Experience

Kaspersky Lab Anti-Virus takes approximately 20 minutes to install, and can then be easily managed from the dashboard on your computer or from My Kaspersky. Some users reported that installation stalled their computers and then created problems with their machines. They also reported the support team trying to sell them products that they didn’t really need.

As consumers, it’s important to read individual product reviews, but also to discern which ones are valid and which ones aren’t—because at the same time that these complaints are written, independent testing companies have given Kaspersky Lab Anti-Virus excellent marks. One thing is for sure—it’s crucial to make sure that your system is compatible with whatever products you are installing.

Bottom Line

Kaspersky Lab is one of the most respected companies in the cyber-protection industry, and its Anti-Virus has been shown to be 100% effective in catching both prevalent viruses and zero day attacks. However, the product itself only includes 3 features: malware protection, ease-of-use, and computer optimization. Consumers who are seeking additional features in basic antivirus software may find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2021 a more suitable option; otherwise, higher-level Kaspersky Lab products are also a good option.

Kaspersky Kaspersky Visit Site

About Kaspersky Lab

In 1989, Eugene Kaspersky’s computer became infected with the ‘Cascade’ virus, piquing his interest in the world of cyber-security. Eight years later, he founded Kaspersky Lab. Since its creation 20 years ago, Kaspersky Lab intelligence has been keeping up with the astronomical growth and development of the internet and creating security products to keep consumers protected. Kaspersky currently has over 400 million individual users around the world, including 270,000 corporate clients.

One of the ways that Kaspersky Lab keeps up with ever-evolving internet technology is through Kaspersky’s Global Research & Analysis Team, a group made up of top security advisors from Europe, Russia, North and South America, Asia, and the Middle East. GReAT works tirelessly in order to fight cyber crime and keep their clients protected.

Elana is a creature of the digital age, and has been working in social media marketing and content for the better part of the past decade. She has experience with software and online platforms from multiple projects with high tech firms.

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